Japan Arranging High-Level Talks With North Korea

Japan recently asked North Korea to hold high-level talks next Monday or even earlier, following their first intergovernmental talks in four years held last week, sources close to the matter said Saturday.

The move came after officials agreed during the Aug. 29-31 working level talks in Beijing to meet again soon, except with higher-level officials.

While North Korea has not responded to the request, Japan is seeking to make progress on the abduction issue before Sept. 17, which will mark the 10th anniversary of the Pyongyang Declaration, which called for efforts to normalize diplomatic ties between the two neighbors.